Working Out Made Easy The latest in home-fitness gadgets

Working Out Made Easy The latest in home-fitness gadgets

Just because you can’t make it to the gym doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your physical fitness. These days, there are lots of options for home exercise. From visual aids to equipment, we’ve found everything you’ll need to get your workout on at home.

Before starting a workout routine, be sure to check in with your doctor to make sure you’re up for it. You also might want to consider hiring a personal trainer to come to your home and help you get started with a routine that is right for your lifestyle and your body.

Getting started at home

Videos are great for home exercise because they provide instruction and motivation. There are thousands available, so how do you find the ones that are right for you? Try a site like topexercisevideos.com, which rates videos, provides descriptions of each routine and describes the workout style of the instructors.

Many home workout kits also come with videos. Here are a few:

—The BOSU Balance Trainer is a half ball on a stable base. BOSU stands for “Both Sides Utilized,” and appropriately, both the ball and the base are incorporated into your workout. The starter kit ($99.95) includes the Balance Trainer, hand pump and your choice of five BOSU fitness DVDs.

“I can’t say enough about this product. I really love it!” says home trainer Lisa McElwee, the owner of Wellness for Women, a personal training business. “The user is mindful of their movements at all times, thereby engaging and developing their mind-body connection. The BOSU is great for everyone because the levels of exercise are adjustable.”

—Gliding Sliding Discs are high-tech polymer discs that move with your body. The starter kit ($22.98) includes the discs, three workout DVDs and a nutrition program. There are versions for hardwood floors or carpet.

McElwee often recommends the discs for her clients. “The discs use the full range of motion to create long, lean muscles. Multiple muscles are worked simultaneously and the ‘core’ is always engaged because of the constant motion inherent in the disc system.”

—Yoga Paws ($36.95) are hand and foot covers that offer amazing stability for your yoga and stretching practice. A complimentary yoga DVD is included with every purchase.

Yoga enthusiast Tribal Blue says, “These well-fitting gloves and booties add support and cushioning to my hands and feet, and they can be used on their own or in addition to a yoga mat. I have found that they keep me from slipping, and they work great on hardwood floors and carpeting. I strongly recommend these for any yoga practitioner.”

Outdoor exercise

—Most of us bring along our MP3 players when heading outdoors to exercise. While MP3’s are great for their small size and stability, headphones can be problematic. They are often sensitive to moisture (from sweat or rain), and they can slip out during active use. The iLuv i303 Headphones ($7.99) are sweat- and splash-proof, and the ear-clip design holds them in place when you run.

—Keep track of your efforts with the Gaiam Calorie Coach from Oregon Scientific ($39). This tiny pedometer can be placed into a pocket, worn around the neck or even clipped to something you’re carrying, like your MP3 case.